Funding awarded to eight local biodiversity projects in Louth

Louth County Council is to receive funding for eight biodiversity projects in the county, it was announced today by the Government under the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) in 2025.

The fund was established in 2018 to assist local authorities in the implementation of actions in support of biodiversity. Almost €11 million has been granted to local authorities through the LBAF since the scheme was established. The Scheme is operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and represents a commitment to support implementation of the Irelands 4^th National Biodiversity Action Plan at community, county and regional level.

The eight projects to receive funding and the amounts they are to receive are as follows:

• Building Ecological Capacity & Biodiversity Awareness - €17,629.00
• Baltray Little Tern Conservancy - €31,450.00
• Louth Swift Project - €5,822.40
• Recording Irish mayfly – establishing conservation status - €1,228.28
• Return to Nature - €14,450.00
• Locally Important Biodiversity Sites – Botanical Study of the Cooley Mountains - €3,765.00
• Biodiversity Enhancement of Local Authority Lands - €17,629.00
• Meadow Magic: Pollinator Promotion Project - €4,717.50

Ireland's 4^th National Biodiversity Action Plan, ‘Actions For Nature’, was launched in January 2024. The 4th Plan sets out Ireland’s vision for biodiversity, that by 2050 “Biodiversity in Ireland is valued, conserved, restored and sustainably used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people”.

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The Plan strives for a “whole of government, whole of society” approach to the governance and conservation of biodiversity. The aim is to ensure that every citizen, community, business, local authority, semi-state and state agency has an awareness of biodiversity and its importance, and of the implications of its loss, while also understanding how they can act to address the biodiversity emergency as part of a renewed national effort to “act for nature”.

This is Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan and the first to be published on a Statutory basis, under the Wildlife Amendment Act 2023. The legislation also requires all public service bodies to integrate biodiversity into their plans, policies and programmes, and report to the Minister on progress.

The funding, which is part of a €2.9 million funding package for 262 community projects across all 31 local authorities, was announced by Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government James Browne TD and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD. 

Commenting on the funding, Minister Browne said:  “Local authorities are playing an essential role in protecting our biodiversity and the Local Biodiversity Action Plan recognises that role. Through these projects, each local authority will make a unique impact on their local biodiversity, but is also part of a bigger picture across the country.

"I welcome the focus on partnership, research and best practice. I wish all of those involved the very best with the work and look forward to hearing more as they progress.”

Minister O’Sullivan TD said: “I’m really impressed with the diversity of projects funded this year. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund will enable every local authority around the country to enhance their actions on biodiversity, including research and recording of our unique species, from the Irish Mayfly, Woodland Bats to barn owls, and management of precious habitats such as meadows and wetlands.” 

“I’d like to commend local authorities for stepping up their efforts to tackle Invasive Species, including Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam, which pose a real threat to our landscapes and marine environment.”